Southend United have fresh focus for Barnet clash

Blues lived to fight another day after finally paying off a large tax bill to dismiss a winding up petition from HMRC at the high court on Wednesday.

And Maher - whose players are now also up to date with their pay - is keen to fully focus on football and not financial concerns.

“That’s what we want to do and it’s what we’re here for too,” said Maher.

“ We’ve done unbelievably well considering the circumstances.

• READ MORE: Bridge wants another Friday night match to remember

“But we want to keep it going now and hopefully we can.”

The Shrimpers have triumphed in five of their last six league games despite the off-field issues and head into tomorrow's crunch clash sitting seventh in the standings.

The run of fine results has seen Blues move three points behind fourth placed Barnet.

And Maher is doing all he can to ensure the Shrimpers secure another successful score-line.

“We’re focused on the performance being one that can get us the right result but this is a tough, tough game,” said Maher.

“They’ve lost a couple recently but they’re up there for a reason and have some very good players.

“Dean (Brennan) has done an incredible job with them and getting to fourth in the league is testament to that.

“We’ve got to be ready and I think it will be a good game under the lights. “But you’ve got to turn up and perform on the night which is obviously what we want to do.”

The match will also be Blues’ first at home on a Friday night this season.

And Maher is a fan of planning on the cusp of the weekend.

“The night games and the Friday nights lend itself to being a better atmosphere,” said Maher.

“People come off the train, get a couple of pints before hand and then go on to the football.

“It will be a good crowd again and a good atmosphere too after some good news this week.

“We want to give them something to cheer.”

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